Post Trade Deadline Thoughts

I'm not really going to talk about the actual trades as I'm a bit late on that and there are much more knowledgable minds debating these moves in more detail and more articulately than I ever could.  In short, I am pleased with what has gone down, but like with any trades we'll just have to wait and see.  I will say that I love all of the discussion that has taken part regarding the trades because that just emphasizes the success this team has had.  Winning breeds interest.

Really I just titled this post that because I'm bad at coming up with titles and I still consider it to be a bit too early to call this the home stretch.  Though you better believe I will have my eyes glued to the TV for this Reds series.

I just wanted to give you a bit of an update on the progress.  I attended the 3rd Annual Gathering of Pirates fans put together by the very friendly Cocktailsfor2.  I've experienced it before this documentary, but now especially I'm starting to become used to that awkward, unsure, nervous, exciting feeling of meeting people "from the internet" and putting faces to screen names.  It is quite interesting to see the diversity of these dedicated Pirates fans from young and old and of all different backgrounds.  The Gathering on July 21st the the epitome of that.  Good times.

I think one thing I want to focus on in this documentary is mixing a bit of Pirates history and the "fan experience".  So I'll pose a question to you, what Pirates related things do you like to do aside from going to the games?  I plan to head down the the Strip some weekend morning to load up on Pirates loot.  I also hope to take a tour of The Clemente Museum in the near future.  I'm also going to trek out to Oakland to see whatever remnants of Forbes Field remains.  Anything else you suggest I take a look at?

Oh, I almost forgot, I finally caved and bought a 10 game plan, so that will probably hamper the goal of sitting in every seat of PNC Park.  I ended up choosing upper deck behind homeplate.  I love it.  Press box accurate view of the game, great view of the city, and only $16 a ticket.  My main reason to get them was as I explained to the ticket lady, "To, uh, you know, move myself up the ladder in case, uh, you know, there might be some more games... later... that I might need tickets for."  She understood perfectly.  As Michael Scott once said, "I'm not superstitious, but I'm a little stitious."

Part of me can't believe it is already August though.  I do hope to make it to at least one minor league game.  I also may go out to New York to catch a game or two from the Mets series in September.  And while my ticket plan is mostly Fridays and Saturdays, I am pretty sure I will make it to the final regular season game against the Braves.

Thanks for keeping up with me and as always, feel free to contact me with any questions, suggestions, ramblings, or future lottery ticket winners.